Look out for food hygiene ratings when eating out at Christmas

If you are thinking of eating out this festive season or booking somewhere for a staff Christmas meal, then you can go online to check the food hygiene rating of where you are looking to go.

West Lancashire Borough Council is advising residents to ‘look before you book’ for Christmas.

Christmas is a time to enjoy good company and good food without worrying about food poisoning. But the truth is, you can’t tell the hygiene standards of a restaurant, pubs, cafes, bars and takeaways by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how busy it is.

Food hygiene ratings are determined by local authority food safety officers and run from zero to five, with a five rating indicating very good food hygiene standards. 95% of businesses that sell food to the public in West Lancashire are rated three or better, so customers can make an informed choice when deciding where to eat out.

The rating tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other businesses that sell food to the public. It’s really easy to check. Just go online and check the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk/ratings , or if you’re out and about check for the green and black sticker.

Councillor Kevin Wright, portfolio holder for Health, said: “This is an important time for local businesses and a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. I am very pleased that so many restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and takeaways in West Lancashire are taking food hygiene so seriously.

“It’s easy for people in the borough to check hygiene ratings online and we are encouraging businesses in West Lancashire to display their rating and to have a prosperous Christmas season.”